Before the 2014 high school baseball season started, San Benito High already had four players—Josh George (Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo), Jacob Trujillo (Cal State Bakersfield), Dylan Yamasaki (Chico State) and Hunter Haworth (Chico State)—committed to play college baseball.
Since the season ended a little over a month ago, however, two more Haybalers have earned scholarships to play in college. Shortstop Andrew Breen recently committed to play at San Francisco State, and pitcher Greg Steinbeck committed to play at Cal State Monterey Bay last month.
It was a dream come true for both players.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Breen said. “I’ve been playing with these guys pretty much my whole life, and now that we’re going to be playing at a level we all dreamed of is something special.”
Breen was actually caught off guard when San Francisco State coach Mike Cummins offered him the athletic scholarship over the phone two weeks ago.
“The offer really did take me by surprise,” said Breen, who hit .340 and had a .500 on-base percentage during a senior season that saw him earn All-Monterey Bay League First-Team honors. “When I visited the campus, I fell in love with the place.”
A four-year scholar athlete and one of only 18 of the approximately 625 graduated San Benito seniors who earned a mark for perfect attendance, Breen had already registered for classes at West Valley College in Saratoga and was going to play there had an offer from a four-year school not materialized.
But Breen created his own opportunity, impressing Cummins with a strong showing at the Trosky 30 College Games Camp at Santa Clara University May 31-June 1.
During the two-day showcase, players go through a combine-like workout and simulated drills before playing real games under the watchful eye of several college coaches and scouts.
“Coach said he was really impressed with my defense and the way I approached the game,” Breen said. “He could tell how hard I was working and how much passion I had toward the game.”
Last season, San Francisco State finished 22-28 overall and 17-23 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, the same conference that Chico State and Cal State Monterey Bay compete in for baseball.
That means there’s a decent chance Breen will be on the same field as Haworth and Steinbeck next season, this time as opponents.
Breen couldn’t be happier about his future. Even though he had only been to San Francisco a couple of times prior to his campus visit, Breen can’t wait to start exploring the city.
For now, though, he’s keeping busy as a member of Trosky’s 19-and-under traveling team, which plays three to four games a week against top-tier competition. While not the most physically imposing athlete around, Breen has a great understanding of the game combined with a passion for the sport that might be second to none.
Breen learned those traits from his father, Adam, and his older brother, Michael, who recently completed his freshman season at San Jose State. Even though Michael wasn’t home when Andrew accepted San Francisco State’s offer, the two shared a nice moment via text.
“He was happy for me and said he was proud of me,” Andrew said. “It’s something that will always mean a lot to me.”
